Light, Luxe Summer Bedding to Keep You Cool and Comfortable

Lightweight, comfortable summer bedding - comforters, quilts, blankets and sheets - is a must-have in your master suite, kids' rooms and guest bedrooms. Here's what you need to know about staying cool and comfortable (and keeping your bedroom beautiful) as you cross off summer's hottest days on the calendar.

Bright Summer Bedding Colors

Bright, vibrant colors and clean, crisp whites are summer staples in the bedroom. The combination of lively colors and lightweight fabrics is the clear winner on hot summer nights, especially when you choose a quilt (the ideal alternative to a heavy comforter and duvet cover combo) in a shade you love. A new blanket, pillow shams and throw pillows can reinvigorate your entire space and help you capture the spirit of summer in your design.

The Best Summer Bedding Materials for Breathability and Comfort

Linen and cotton are the ideal fabrics for warm summer nights because they keep you cool and dry. Both are natural fibers (linen comes from the flax plant) that allow air to flow freely and help regulate your nighttime body temperature. The perfect summer blankets are thinner than cozy winter blankets, made from breathable fabrics and expertly designed to make your bedroom a relaxing haven.

Staying Cool and Comfortable With the Right Sheets

While your quilt or duvet cover has a lot to do with how cool you stay at night, the secret is really in the sheets. With crisp, cooling sheets made from linen or cotton, you'll be comfortable from dusk to dawn. When you're choosing sheet sets, remember:

• Cotton is breathable, moisture-wicking and absorbent, which means it's able to keep you comfortable and dry. It's a natural temperature regulator as well and its weave determines how breathable it is.
• Linen has natural cooling properties; it wicks away moisture and is more breathable than cotton and it's antimicrobial. It's remarkably strong and durable and because it's a natural insulator, linen is the right choice when you sleep with a partner who's always hot or cold.

Summer Quilts

A lightweight summer quilt can be the perfect sleep solution - it'll be cozy but won't weigh you down and when it's made from cotton or linen, it'll be breathable and soft. Quilts can be formal and elegant or casual and relaxed so you can create a bedroom look you'll love.

Duvet Covers

A cotton or linen duvet cover is the perfect complement to your down or down alternative blanket. Removable and washable, duvets are easy to swap out for different seasons - and that means you can choose moisture-wicking, light linen for summer and a thick duvet cover for winter.

Choosing summer bedding that's organic, sustainably-sourced and Fair Trade Certified™ is a great way to make sure your household is contributing to a healthier world. At west elm, you'll find a wide range of blankets, duvets, sheets and bedding sets that check all the boxes - and that means you're doing your part to support better working and living conditions all over the globe.